KIEV, October 14 (RIA Novosti) – Three Ukrainian nationals aboard a Sierra Leone flagged ship have been detained by Indian coastguards on suspicion of arms smuggling, a Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman told RIA Novosti Monday.
“There are three Ukrainian citizens onboard the ship – two crewmembers and one security guard,” the ministry’s press and information department director Yevhen Perebiynis said.
“Our embassy has asked the country’s authorities to look into the circumstances of the detention,” he added.
On Saturday, Indian coastguards detained the US-owned private security ship Seaman Guard Ohio 15 nautical miles (27.8 km) off the port town of Tuticorin, in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, on suspicion it was illegally transporting weapons, according to the Maritime Bulletin.
Media reports previously said there were Ukrainians, Estonians, and British nationals on board.
An investigation is underway by the Tamil Nadu authorities.
